REVOLUTION | A 4th of July-inspired Playlist & Article

The revolution starts within!

The following article and playlist were written by John Smrtic, Albany-based Jivamukti Yoga teacher and music enthusiast – enjoy!

“This country was founded by revolution and revolutionaries.  That’s our heritage….  And so I don’t regard revolution as something bad.  I don’t think of revolution as a war.  To me revolution is a way of life.   And it is the way of life of the yogi.  The yogi has always been disruptive to the status quo… What I hope and pray that [yoga] can do is continue to be disruptive.” – David Life, Jivamukti Yoga co-founder

Shhhhh…. don’t tell anyone… but what we are really teaching about here is revolution.  That is the Jivamukti project: starting with the body as a common entry point and engaging in profound spiritual practice by utilizing the nervous system for personal and social revolution and evolution.  With dietary and lifestyle choices, scriptural study, satsang, devotion, elevating music, chanting, mantra, and meditation, the practice becomes a way of life and not simply confined to an eco-friendly rubber mat.  In fact, ultimately for the yogi, there is no distinction between on and off the mat.  All experiences and interactions, all relationships are fertile ground for introspection, change and growth.  This also applies to our relationship with the “status quo” and great Mother Culture. The yogi, historically, but particularly in this time, is the one who is not afraid to investigate “the way it is” and to take a stand against what is not working by skillfully showing the way through thoughts, words and actions.  The practices allow us to move closer to, glance and finally become pratishtayam (“firmly established”) in source – joy and selfless love.

So the yogi acts in the world from that place of love, joy and compassion, treading gently yet strong, cherishing silence and stillness yet vocal when necessary and undeterred.   If we are to live in the world of peace and equality that we envision, it is incumbent upon us to do the deep, personal, internal work prescribed by yoga, to become agents of that change and ultimately the ones who manifest that vision through skillful, joyful action.  Liberation from self-imposed restraints and limitations, cultural conditioning and the tethers of body and mind – the realization of the eternal nature of the soul and the relation to the whole – is the Jivamukti Revolution.

And isn’t it nice to have a groovy soundtrack for the revolution?!  It’s always a treat when The Beatles, Phish, Marley, the Dead, Thievery Corporation, Jurassic 5, The Isley Brothers and Sharon Gannon can come together in a mix that has a unified theme and vibration!  And the 4th of July is also Jivamukti co-founder Sharon Gannon’s birthday.  How auspicious!  So enjoy this soul-stirring mix, crafted to coincide with the energetic arch of a vinyasa class, with each song selected to deliver thematic dharma jewels.  Let’s get free!

Lokah Samastah Sukhino Bhavantu – May All Beings Everywhere Be Happy and Free

Bhakti Groove 179: 4th of July – Revolution        7/4/11              (running time 1:28)

1. Revolution 1 – The Beatles – The Beatles (White Album)

2. Rastaman Chant - Bob Marley & Friends – Chant Down Babylon

3. Free – Phish – Billy Breathes

4. Freedom – Jurassic 5 – Power In Numbers

5. Get Up, Stand Up – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Rebel Music

6. Revolution Solution – Thievery Corporation – Versions

7. Revolution(f. Lyrics Born) – J. Boogie’s Dubtronic Science – Soul Vibrations

8. Revolution – Bob Marley & The Wailers – Natty Dread

9. Alone  - Ansar, The Dum Dum Project – Yoga Chill

10.Lokah Samastah (Happy Free Mix) Sharon Gannon – Sharanam

11.Freedom – The Isley Brothers – Essential

12.Free – Mofro – Blackwater

13.Freedom  - Ky-Mani Marley – Many More Roads

14.Free  - G. Love – G. Love’s Lemonade

15.Free(f. Jack Johnson) – Donavon Frankenreiter – Donavon Frankenreiter

16.Liberty  - Grateful Dead – So Many Roads

18.U.S. Blues – Grateful Dead – 2/26/77 – Swing Auditorium

19.Freedom – Amos Lee – Supply and demand

20.Amerimacka – Thievery Corporation – The Cosmic Game

21.Babylon System – Bob Marley – Songs Of Freedom (Disc 4)

22.Imagine – John Lennon & Plastic Ono Band   Lennon Legend

Click here to visit John’s website today!